Gone are the days when stone walls and floors were only seen in hotel lobbies or the homes of the elite. The many benefits of marble, concrete, and stone-effect surfaces are now being embraced in more personal spaces, and Ariostea’s ULTRA range of extra large ceramic slabs is perfect for the job.
If you’re looking to design a space that emanates luxury, monolithic stone slabs should be first on your agenda, whether that translates to a marble shower wall for a spa-like space or cement-effect slabs for your contemporary kitchen floor. The possibilities of Ariostea’s versatile stoneware don’t end there, either. They can also be used for customised countertops, tables and furniture, and for the likes of column and door coverings too.
As an off-shoot of Iris Ceramica Group - a world-wide leader in the design and development of high-end natural ceramic surfaces - Ariostea has always offered designers and architects creative ideas that deliver on performance, innovation and sustainability. Their long tradition of research and use of cutting-edge technologies allows them to offer surfaces with a strong identity, and there are two recent additions that make a serious statement. If you’re set on resurfacing your space, they’re certainly a great place to start.
What's in the collection?
The ULTRA catalogue features different types of slabs inspired by marble, metal, and resin, with each one available in different color and finish variations, too. Among those, most notable are the ULTRA Pietre Jatoba Brown and the ULTRA Marmi Patagonia, both of which stand out as dramatic nature-inspired stones.
Jatoba Brown is a uniform quartzite that features a striking dark brown background marked by sensual iron and gold veining. Its shades of colour are enhanced by the polished and mattified interplay of the Lapped finish, which particularly stands out when teamed with wood.
Much lighter in comparison, Patagonia is a granite-effect slab inspired by a rare Brazilian marble that stands out for its enchantingly intertwined shapes and colours. The depth of the marble parts combines with the polished allure of the quartzite parts, the beauty of which is enhanced by the various finishes: Prelucidato for a natural look, or Lapped for a more three-dimensional effect.
How do they compare to other stoneware materials?
Waterproof, easy to clean, and resistant to temperature changes, Ariostea’s porcelain stoneware pairs style with functionality in the best possible way. Upon request, the Jatoba Brown and Patagonia slabs are also available in an Active Surfaces® version with ISO-certified antibacterial, antiviral, anti-pollution, anti-odour and self-cleaning properties.
Ready to bring your home into the modern day? These slabs can also become smart surfaces thanks to Hypertouch technology. This innovation uses an integrated system of home automation sensors that allow you to operate lighting, heat regulation, audio-video, and door and window systems by simply exerting a slight pressure on the slab.
The real talking point of the ULTRA collection, however, is the sheer size of these slabs. They’re available in five sizes, ranging from 75x37.5 cm to 300x150 cm, each with a thickness of 6 mm. This not only makes them versatile and flexible, but the generous dimensions mean they can be used to cover large areas (up to 4.5 square metres with a single module) and the minimal joints offer a seamless look.
Besides being attractive and functional, Ariostea’s stoneware is sustainable, too. It’s made exclusively from high-quality materials and produced in factories with zero emissions, the fruit of on-going investments in the latest manufacturing processes.
With Jatoba Brown and Patagonia, Ariostea skilfully combines tradition, Italian creativity, and a long-sighted approach, turning ideas and inspiration into cutting-edge projects on an extra large scale.
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